I have a 1991 dx civic front is shot need ALL new bushings. Will it be cheaper and easier just to but new hardware too or just the bushing. Some one told me you need to press rhe bushing in. Which mean i had to take it too a shop. Or can i just press then in here at my house? Or should i just bur new controls tie rods, etx...


HELP!!!

 

I did a complete rebuild on my front end recently. You'll have to ask how much the shop charges to press the bushings in/out. There are 4 (2 on each LCA) that you will have to do on the front end. That cost me $40. Add that to the cost of new bushings, and it can easily cost over the price of completely new LCAs with bushings already in them.

Also replace the "radius rod" bushings. They are simple to replace by unbolting the radius rods from front sub-frame. All sway-bar bushings should be replaced too...

The ball-joints will need to be inspected to determine if they need to be replaced. First check for torn boots, and then check for play in the ball-joint itself. If the ball-joint is good, just replace the boot. If the ball-joint has play, your better replace it. The lower ball-joints can be purchased separately, but the whole knuckle must be removed to get them out/in (axle is in the way). Again you'll have to take the a shop to get them pressed (unless you can rent a ratchet press from Autozone).

The upper ball-joints require the purchase of a completely new UCA since they are all one piece.

The tie rod ball-joints can be replaced by simply replacing the outer tie rod ends.

The steering rack is a different story. there are two large bellows boots on either of the the steering gearbox. If the boots are torn, you have to inspect the "rack end" ball-joints underneath. There is also a plastic bushing that can wear out inside the passengers side end of the steering gearbox (the rack gear slides back & forth on). If that bushing is worn, you will feel play between the steering rack & the gearbox housing. Other than the boots, everything on the steering gearbox is a bitch to change out. It's much easier if you remove the whole steering gearbox & put it on a work bench...

You must get an alignment once your done (duh)...

 

Here are some pics to help you out...

Knuckle with brake assembly and Upper-Control-Arm

Lower-Control-Arm, sway-bar, and radius rod


Steering Gearbox & tie rods (non power-steering)

 

where you get those pics i would like to kniow what is what which the numbers, That would help out alot.

 

Here are two online honda parts catalogs. They take some practice to navigate quickly, but you'll figure it out eventually:

www.hondaautomotiveparts.com
www.slhondaparts.com (this one shows actual honda part number)

As for the pictures, you right click on the pics and choose properties. Then copy the "location" & paste it into a honda-tech post between the proper HTML (example: [ img ]http://www.somewebsite.com/yourpicture.jpg[/ img ])...